title: The relation between body mass index, mental health, and functional disability: a European population perspective.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the association between body mass, mental disorders, and functional disability in the general population of 6 European countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data (n = 21 425) were derived from the European Study on the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD). The third version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview was administered to assess mental disorders (mood, anxiety, and alcohol disorders) according to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-fourth edition, body mass index (BMI) (kg/m(2), based on self-reported height and weight), and functional disability in the previous 30 days, assessed with the World Health Organization Disablement Assessment Scale-second version.
  
  
  RESULTS
  About 3% of the respondents were underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m(2)), 53% had normal weight (BMI 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m(2)), 33% were overweight (BMI 25 to 29.9 kg/m(2)), and the remaining 12% met criteria for obesity (BMI >or= 30.0 kg/m(2)). Compared with individuals of normal weight, obese individuals were more likely to have mood (OR 1.3; 95%CI, 1.0 to 1.8) or more than one mental disorder (OR 1.4; 95%CI, 1.0 to 2.2). BMI had no impact on work loss days, whereas mental disorders had a considerable effect on work loss days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first cross-national study investigating the role between BMI, mental disorders, and functional disability in the general population. Being overweight or obese is a common condition in the 6 ESEMeD countries. Although there is a moderate association between obesity and mental disorders, BMI did not independently influence functional disability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences and Psychiatry, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium. ronny.bruffaerts@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
authors.forename: Ronny
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bruffaerts
authors.forename: Koen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Demyttenaere
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vilagut
authors.forename: Montserat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: Anke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bonnewyn
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Graaf
authors.forename: Josep Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Haro
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bernert
authors.forename: Matthias C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Angermeyer
authors.forename: Traolach
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brugha
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Roick
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alonso
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D015897:Comorbidity; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult